Econmisch en Sociaal Comité wil een ambitieuzere sociale agenda (en)

15 January 2009

While the EESC generally welcomes the Commission communication on a renewed social agenda, it would have wished it to be somewhat more ambitious. The major global economic and financial crisis makes it is all the more important for the European Union to promote a strong social and competitive Europe.

In its opinion, adopted by an overwhelming majority on 14 January 2009, the EESC renews its call for a new European Social Action Programme and requests that the Open Method of Coordination be strengthened and improved, in particular through the increased use of quantitative and qualitative targets. "Minimum standards in employment rights should, where necessary and appropriate, be part of any social agenda", said EESC rapporteur Evelyne Regner (Group II, Employees, Austria), who also stressed that Europe urgently needs modern labour market policies and strong, sustainable and employment-friendly social systems.

In her view, social dialogue remains one of the most important pillars of the European social model and the social partners should therefore be involved in the drafting, implementation and monitoring of all measures under the renewed social agenda.

In a key passage of the opinion the EESC also notes that, where necessary and appropriate, suitable concrete measures to protect workers should be adopted that make clear that neither economic freedoms nor competition rules should take precedence over fundamental social rights.

"We need to develop a suitable response to the current ECJ rulings on the posting of workers and trade union activities", said George Dassis, president of the Employee's group. The discussion forum convened by the Commission is, in his view, only a first step in this direction.

The EESC also backs stronger policy measures to promote equal treatment, support people with disabilities and combat social exclusion. Given the fears that access to high-quality healthcare will be limited in future, appropriate, clear and transparent goals should be developed and pursued, with suitable monitoring and publicity.